Removable fan tray

ABSTRACT

Fan trays and components thereof are described herein. In some embodiments, a removable, compact fan tray is configured to be disposed within a slot of a chassis. The fan tray can be latchably coupled to the chassis, and/or can include a light source, such as an LED operable to depict the status of the fan tray. Leads of the light source can be disposed within an sleeve operable to contain and/or insulate the leads. The fan tray can, in some embodiments, be configured to be keyed to a particular type of chassis slot, for example, a slot associated with an air flow direction.

BACKGROUND

Some embodiments described herein relate to fan trays configured to bedisposed within a chassis, such as a server rack and/or a computer case.

The size of known fan trays can limit the space available for coolingcomponents, house an insufficient number of fans, not latch, have aninconvenient latching mechanism, and/or can extend outside the frontpanel of the chassis. In some applications, such as when a server rackcontains a 1U top-of-rack switch, removable and/or compact fan trays aredesired, because, as the size of the fan tray decreases, more spacewithin the rack can be made available for computing components. A need,therefore, exists for a removable and compact fan tray.

SUMMARY

Fan trays and components thereof are described herein. In someembodiments, a removable, compact fan tray is configured to be disposedwithin a slot of a chassis. The fan tray can be latchably coupled to thechassis, and/or can include a light source, such as a light emittingdiode (LED) operable to depict the status of the fan tray. Leads of thelight source can be disposed within an sleeve operable to contain and/orinsulate the leads. The fan tray can, in some embodiments, be configuredto be keyed to a particular type of chassis slot, for example, a slotassociated with an air flow direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fan tray, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a fan tray, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a front portion of the fan tray of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the front portion of thefan tray of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are isometric views of a portion of the fan tray of FIG.2 with and without a wire guide, respectively.

FIG. 5C is an isometric partially exploded view of a portion of the fantray of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an electronics assembly of the fan tray ofFIG. 2.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a rear exploded isometric view and a rear view ofthe fan tray shoe and a connector of the fan tray of FIG. 2,respectively.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams of a fan tray body, a fan trayshoe, and a chassis, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fan trays and components thereof are described herein. A fan tray can beoperable to be slideably disposed within a chassis of, for example, aserver rack and/or a rack mounted unit. The fan tray can provide coolingairflow to heat sources housed within the chassis, for example,computing components, such as a top-of-rack switch. Some embodimentsdescribed herein relate to compact fan trays operable to cool 1U formfactor components.

In some embodiments, the fan tray can have a body, a handle, and alatch. An end portion of the handle can be rotatably coupled to thebody. A first portion of the latch can be coupled to the handle. Thebody can define at least a portion of a recess configured to selectivelycontain a portion of the latch. When the handle is in a first position,for example, disposed against a face of the body, the second portion ofthe latch can be disposed out of the recess. In some embodiments, whenthe second portion of the latch is disposed out of the recess, thesecond portion of the latch can project from the body of the fan trayand be operable to latch to an associated structure, for example, of achassis. When the handle is in a second position, for example, extendingout from the face of the body, the latch can be disposed within therecess. In some embodiments, when the latch is disposed within therecess, the fan tray can be slideable within the chassis, for example,by pulling the handle and/or pushing the fan tray.

In some embodiments, a sleeve including channels can be configured to bedisposed within a fan tray. The channels of the sleeve can be configuredto receive wires and/or insulate the wires of a light source, forexample a positive and a negative lead of the light source. The channelscan electrically insulate the wires from each other and/or from contactwith other wires or structures that can be disposed within and/or partof the fan tray.

In some embodiments, a fan tray shoe configured to be removeably coupledto a fan tray can have a key, such as a slot, groove, projection, and/orhole. The key can be in a first position or a second position. The firstposition can be associated with a first airflow direction, and thesecond position can be associated with a second airflow direction. Inother embodiments, the key positions can indicate other information suchas a fan having one rotor or two rotors, a fan having one fan speed or adifferent fan speed, a fan having one drive voltage or a different drivevoltage. In some embodiments, the key can be configured to be acceptedby or excluded from an associated structure of a chassis, such that thefan tray can only be disposed and/or is only operable within a slot ofthe chassis associated with the appropriate airflow direction.

As used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, the term “an opening” is intended to mean a singleopening or a combination of openings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fan tray 100, according to anembodiment. The fan tray 100 includes a handle 110, a body 120, and anelectronics assembly 160. The fan tray 100 can be operable to beslideably disposed within a chassis (not shown), for example, a serverrack unit and/or a server rack. The handle 110 can be coupled to thebody 120 and can be used to install and/or remove the fan tray 100 fromthe chassis, as well as to provide a convenient structure for carryingthe fan tray 100. The body 120 of the fan tray 100 can includestructural and/or cooling elements of the fan tray 120. The electronicsassembly 160 can include wiring and/or other electronic components topower and/or manage the cooling functions of the fan tray 100.

The handle 110 can be rotatably coupled to the body 120. For example, insome embodiments, the handle 110 can have two pins operable to mate withassociated holes of the body 120, such that the handle 110 and the body120 collectively define a hinge. The handle 110 can thus rotate from aposition in which the handle 110 is disposed against a surface of thebody 120 to a position in which the handle 110 extends from the body120. When the handle 120 extends from the body 110, the handle 120 canprovide a convenient structure for grasping the fan tray 100, forexample, while sliding the fan tray 100 out of the chassis, and/orcarrying the fan tray 100.

A latch 106 can be operable to secure the handle 110 to the body 120,for example, when the handle 110 is disposed against the surface of thebody 120. The body 120 and the handle 110 can have associatedcomponents, such as a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap-fit coupling,and/or any other suitable coupling operable to latch the handle 110 tothe body 120.

A retaining clip 114 can be operable to selectively couple and decouplethe fan tray 100 to the chassis. In some embodiments, the retaining clip114 can temporarily couple or retain the fan tray 100 to the chassiswhen the handle 110 is disposed against the surface of the body 120.Conversely, when the handle 110 extends from the body 120, the fan tray100 can be slideably disposed within the chassis. For example, theretaining clip 114 can be coupled to the handle 110, such that a surfaceof the retaining clip 114 matingly couples to a portion of the chassiswhen the handle is disposed against a surface of the body 120. When thehandle 110 is positioned such that it extends from the body 120, theretaining clip 114 can rotate with the handle 110 such that it isdisposed in a recess defined, at least in part, by the body 120 and suchthat the retaining clip 114 is not coupled to the chassis.

The body 120 can include a cover 130, a fan assembly 140, and a fan trayshoe 150. In some embodiments, the cover 130 can define the front of thefan tray 100 and the fan tray shoe 150 can define the rear of the fantray 100. The fan assembly 140 can be disposed between and/or supportedat opposite ends by the cover 130 and/or the fan tray shoe 150. The fanassembly 140 can be operable to generate an airflow. One or more screws,bolts, clips, and/or other suitable fastening means can couple the cover130, the fan assembly 140, and/or the fan tray shoe 150. For example,one or more of the cover 130, the fan assembly 140, and the fan trayshoe 150 can have a corresponding threaded hole or holes, such that athreaded fastener or fasteners can be used to couple the cover 130, fanassembly 140, and the fan tray shoe 150 together to collectively formthe body 120.

In some embodiments, the cover 130 can define an inlet of a flow pathand the fan tray shoe 150 can define an outlet of that flow path. Inother embodiments, the fan tray shoe 150 can define the inlet of a flowpath, and the cover 130 can define the outlet of that flow path.

The cover 130 can be operable to reduce noise and/or distribute airpassing therethrough. For example, the opening defined by the cover 130can include a screen, a plurality of openings, and/or aflow-straightening element. The cover 130 can provide a finger-guard toprevent a user from contacting the fan assembly 140 when the fan tray100 is in operation. The cover 130 can also be operable to reduce orscreen electromagnetic interference. For example, the cover 130 canreduce or screen against from electromagnetic radiation from electronicswithin the fan tray 100 from affecting electronics outside of the fantray 100. Similarly, the cover 130 can reduce or screen againstelectromagnetic radiation from electronics outside the fan tray 100 thatmight otherwise affect electronics within of the fan tray 100 or thechassis in which it resides.

The fan assembly 140 can include one or more rotors and/or statorsmounted in series and/or parallel and operable to generate the air-flow.For example, the fan assembly 140 can include two 40×40×56 mm dual-rotorfans mounted in parallel. In such an embodiment, the overall dimensionsof the fan tray 100 can be approximately 40.5×81×98 mm. The fan assembly140 can be operable to move air either into or out of the chassis.

The fan tray shoe 150 can be keyed to the chassis. Similarly stated, thefan tray shoe 150 can be operable to be physically coupled to and/orengage one or more structures disposed within the chassis based on thestructure of the fan tray shoe 150 and the structure of the chassis. Thefan tray shoe 150 can be operable to prevent the fan tray 100 from beingimproperly disposed within the chassis. For example, the fan tray shoeand the chassis can be collectively configured such that the fan tray100 cannot be disposed upside down. In some embodiments, the fan trayshoe 150 can have one or more projections, recesses, and/or grooves; thechassis can have associated structures such that an improperly orientedfan tray 100 can be excluded. In some such embodiments, the fan tray 100can be configured to provide airflow in one predetermined direction,e.g., into the chassis, and the fan tray shoe 150 and the chassis can becollectively configured such that only fan trays 100 providing flow inthat one predetermined direction can be disposed therein.

In some embodiments, the fan tray shoe 150 can be coupled to the body inmore than one orientation. In such an embodiment, the fan tray 100 canbe configured to provide airflow in one direction, for example, duringassembly, and the fan tray shoe 150 can be oriented such that the fantray 100 can only be disposed within a chassis slot configured to accepta fan tray 100 providing airflow in that one direction.

The electronics assembly 160 is operable to electrically couple the fantray 100 to the chassis via a connector 190. Similarly stated, theelectronics assembly 160 can couple the fan tray 100 to a power source,computing device, and/or printed circuit board external to the fan tray100 and/or disposed within the chassis. For example, when the fan tray100 is coupled to a computing device or a printed circuit board, theelectronics assembly 160 can exchange electrical signals between thechassis and the fan tray 100. The electronics assembly 160 can providepower from the chassis to the fan assembly 140, and/or can protectelectrical wiring via a wire guide 170, and/or a sleeve 180. In someembodiments, the electronics assembly 160 can be operable to evaluatethe operation and/or health of the fan assembly 140, and/or providefeedback to the chassis. The electronics assembly 160 can provide a usera visual status indicator for the fan tray 100 via a light source 185,such as an LED.

The connector 190 can be electrically coupled to a correspondingconnector (e.g., a mating connector) disposed within the chassis. Thus,the fan tray 100 can receive power and/or one or more electrical signalsfrom an electrical component, such as a power supply and/or a printedcircuit board disposed within the chassis. The connector 190 can becoupled to the fan tray shoe 150, such that the connector 190 can beblind-coupled to the chassis connector when the fan tray 100 is disposedwithin the chassis. In some embodiments, the fan tray shoe 150 can beconfigured to position the connector 190 at an appropriate height and/orin an appropriate position such that when the fan tray 100 is disposedwithin the chassis, the connector 190 slideably couples with the chassisconnector. In some such embodiments, the fan tray shoe 150 and/or theconnector 190 can include a guide operable to position the connector 190with respect to the chassis connector when the fan tray 100 is slid intothe chassis. For example, a ramp or cone structure can urge theconnector 190 in the direction of the chassis connector, and the fantray shoe 150 can be operable to allow the connector 190 to move orfloat into the correct position for mating with the chassis connector.In some embodiments the connector 190 can be coupled to the fan trayshoe 150 in the appropriate location for mating with a specific chassisor chassis type during assembly of the fan tray 100.

The connector 190 can be coupled to one or more wires, which can routepower and/or electrical signals to the fan assembly 140 and/or the lightsource 180. The wire guide 170 can direct wires from the connector 190to the fan assembly 140 and/or the light source 180 and protect thewires from spinning rotors and/or from obstructing the flow path. Insome embodiments, a side of the wire guide 170 facing the fan assembly140 can have an aerodynamic shape operable to provide an efficienttransition from the fan assembly 140 to an airflow opening in the fantray shoe 150. A side of the wire guide 170 facing the connector 190 canbe shaped such that the wires are retained in place and/or directed tothe fan assembly 140 and/or the light source 180 without obstructing theairflow. The wire guide 170 can further prevent wires from pinching, forexample, by corralling the wires during assembly.

The light source 185 can indicate to a user whether the fan tray 100 ispowered on or off, and/or indicate a warning condition (e.g., fanfailure, temperature alarm, over-speed, etc.). The light source 185 canbe disposed within the sleeve 180. In some embodiments, the sleeve 180can be a molded plastic sleeve that can provide insulation to the lightsource leads. For example, the light source leads can be bare wires,devoid of insulation, jackets, and/or heat-shrink insulating tubing fora length less than, similar to, and/or equal to the length of the sleeve180. Similarly stated, the sleeve 180 can eliminate the need fortraditional heat-shrink tubing for insulating at least a portion of thelight source leads. By eliminating heat-shrink tubing and by providinginsulated channels for the light source leads, the amount of spaceoccupied by the light source leads can be reduced and/or the lightsource leads can be more precisely routed to the light source 185. Forexample, the light source leads, contained within the sleeve 180, can,in some embodiments, include sharper bends than would be possible withtraditional heat-shrink insulation.

A light pipe 187, for example, a fiber optic cable, a transparentcomponent, and/or acrylic cylinder, can be used to convey output fromthe light source 185 such that the output of the light source 185 can beperceived by the user. For example, the light source 180 can be locatedat the back of the fan tray 100, and the light pipe 187 can transmit theoutput of the light source 185 to the front of the fan tray 100 and/orthrough an opening defined by the cover 130. Similarly stated, in someembodiments, the light source 180 can be coupled to the fan tray shoe150 in a rear portion of the fan tray 100 and the light pipe 187 can beoperable to transmit the output of the light source 185 to a frontportion of the fan tray 100. Positioning the light source 185 in therear of the fan tray 100 can reduce and/or eliminate the extension ofthe light source leads the length of the fan tray 100, which cansimplify assembly, enhance durability, and/or reduce the opportunity forairflow obstructions.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a fan tray 200, according to anembodiment. The fan tray 200 can be structurally and/or functionallysimilar to the fan tray 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1. Asshown in FIG. 2, a cover 230, two dual-rotor fans 240, and a fan trayshoe 250 are coupled together via screws 202. The fan tray 200 isconfigured to be removeably disposed at least partially within a chassis(not shown), such that the cover 230 is in fluid communication with anexterior volume of air, when the fan tray shoe 250 is disposed within aninterior volume of the chassis. The cover 230 thus defines a firstopening 234 of the fan tray 200 and the fan tray shoe 250 defines asecond opening 254 (not shown in FIG. 2) of the fan tray 200. The cover230 and the fan tray shoe 250 can each define one of an inlet or anoutlet, depending on the direction of operation of the fans 240. Asshown, the cover 230 defines multiple hexagonal openings 234.

An fan tray direction indicator 218 is coupled to a handle 210 and isoperable to indicate to a user the direction of airflow the fan tray 200is configured to supply. As shown, “AFI” indicates that the fan tray 200is configured to move “airflow in” through the openings 234 of the frontcover 230. In other embodiments, the fan tray direction indicator 218can indicate, for example “AFO” indicating that the fan tray 200 isconfigured to move “airflow out” through the openings 234 of the frontcover 230. For example, an indicator cover 219 can be operable toselectively expose one fan tray direction indicator 218. As shown, theindicator cover 219 can be covering an AFO indicator, such that if theindicator cover 219 were moved to cover the AFI indicator 218, the AFOindicator would be exposed.

In some embodiments, the indicator cover 219 can be operable to triggera switch or electrical contact operable to alter the flow of the fantray 200. For example, a user, by sliding the indicator cover 219 canchange the direction of the airflow.

As described in further detail herein, the light pipe 287 is operable totransmit a signal from an LED 285 (not shown in FIG. 2) to the front ofthe fan tray 200. A hole 231 defined by the cover 230 can allow the userto observe the output of the LED 285 via the light pipe 287 from thefront of the fan tray 200 when the fan tray 200 is disposed within thechassis.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a front portion of the fan tray 200 ofFIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the handle 210 is hingedly coupled to thecover 230 via two pins 212, which are configured to be disposed withintwo associated holes 232. The handle 210 can thereby rotate with respectto the cover 230 from a first position, in which the handle 210 isdisposed against the surface of the cover 230, to at least a secondposition in which the handle 210 extends outwardly from the cover 230.When the handle 210 is in the first position, hooks 236 of the cover 230can engage slots 216 of the handle 210, preventing the handle 210 fromfreely rotating. The hooks 236 and slots 216 can be configured tosnap-fit, such that an initial minimum force is used to rotate thehandle 210. Thus, the handle 210 can be secured in the first position toprevent unlatching during shipping, handling, vibration, inadvertentcontact, and/or earthquakes, while allowing the handle 210 to freelyrotate after the user applies an initial force to free the handle 210from the cover 230.

One or more retaining clip(s) 214 can removeably couple the fan tray 200to the chassis. As shown, the retaining clip(s) 214 are configured to becoupled to the handle 210 such that the retaining clip(s) 214 rotatewith the handle 210. When the handle 210 is disposed against the surfaceof the cover 230, a portion of the retaining clip(s) 214 projects beyondthe upper surface of the cover 230. The projecting portions of theretaining clip(s) 214 can engage an associated feature of the chassis,coupling the fan tray 200 to the chassis when the handle is disposedagainst the surface of the cover 230. In other embodiments, theretaining clip(s) 214 can be coupled to the cover 230 and operable to beselectively extended or refracted, for example, via a push-button,rotation of the handle 210, and/or any other suitable mechanism.

When the handle 210 rotates away from the front surface of the cover230, the retaining clip(s) 214 rotate into the cover recesses 235. Thus,when the handle 210 extends away from the front surface of the cover230, the retaining clip(s) 214 do not extend beyond the upper surface ofthe cover 230. Similarly stated, rotating the handle 210 into the secondposition can disengage the retaining clip(s) 214 from an associatedfeature of the chassis, allowing the fan tray 200 to slide within thechassis. For example, the user can slide the fan tray 200 out of thechassis by pulling on the handle 210 when the handle extends from thesurface of the cover 230.

The retaining clip(s) 214 can be constructed of a resilient material,such as sheet metal. In some embodiments, the retaining clip(s) 214 canbe leaf springs, operable to return to their original configurationafter being deformed. As shown, the retaining clip(s) 214 are coupled tothe handle 210 within the handle recesses 215. Furthermore, the portionof the retaining clip(s) 214 configured to project beyond the uppersurface of the cover 230 has a ridge and/or a triangular shape (from aside perspective) with a sloped portion directed towards the rear of thefan tray 200 and a substantially vertical portion directed towards thefront of the fan tray 200. A force applied to the sloped portion of theretaining clip 214 can cause the projecting portion of the retainingclip(s) 214 to deform into the handle recesses 215. Thus, when the fantray 200 is inserted into the chassis and the handle 210 is disposedagainst the front surface of the cover 230, the sloped projectingportion of the retaining clip(s) 214 can contact the chassis, resultingin deformation causing the retaining clip(s) 214 to retract within thehandle recess 215. With the retaining clip(s) 214 disposed within thehandle recesses 215, the fan tray 200 can “snap” into the chassis.Similarly stated, the retaining clip(s) 214 can function similar to adoor-latch, allowing the fan tray 200 to be inserted into the chassiswith the retaining clip(s) 214 projecting beyond the upper surface ofthe cover 230. When the fan tray 200 is disposed within the chassis,however, the retaining clip(s) 214 can return to their originalconfiguration and can engage a groove or other associated feature of thechassis. The substantially vertical portion of the retaining clip(s) 214can resist deformation, preventing the fan tray 200 from being removedfrom the chassis while the retaining clip(s) 214 project beyond theupper surface of the cover 230 and into the groove or other associatedfeature of the cover.

The cover further includes a groove 238 operable to receive anelectromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket 239. The EMI gasket 239 can beoperable to contact the chassis and reduce the amount of interferencetransmitted to the interior of the chassis via the chassis openingconfigured to receive the fan tray 200. Similarly, the EMI gasket 239also reduces the amount of interference transmitted from the interior ofthe chassis to electronics outside of and separate from the chassis.

FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the front portion of thefan tray 200 of FIG. 2. The handle 210 is disposed against the frontsurface of the cover 230. A beveled surface 211 of the handle 210defines, at least in part, a plenum. The plenum can reduce or eliminatethe handle 210 from obstructing the flow of air through the openings 234of the cover 230. The beveled surface further defines a gap between thefront surface of the cover 230 and the handle 210, such that the usercan more easily decouple the handle 210 from the hooks 236.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are isometric views of a portion of the fan tray 200 ofFIG. 2 with and without a wire guide 270, respectively. FIG. 5C is apartially exploded view of a portion of the fan tray 200 of FIG. 2. Thewire guide 270 (also referred to herein as a “wire-guide housing”) isconfigured to be disposed between the fans 240 and the connector 290.The connector 290 is operable to couple with a corresponding (e.g.,mating) connector of the chassis. One or more leads or wires 292 can beelectrically couple the connector 290 to the fans 240. For example, thewire guide 270 can define one or more wire-paths between the connectorand the fans 240 and/or the light source sleeve 280.

The wire guide 270 can provide a smooth and/or streamlined transitionfor the air flow path between the fans 240 and the fan tray shoe 250and/or isolate some or all of an electronics assembly 260 from the flowpath. Thus, the connector 290 and/or some or all of the wires 292, canbe disposed out of the flow path and/or not disrupt, impede, and/orimpinge the flow of air through the fan tray 200. Said another way, thewire guide 270 can provide a smooth surface having an aerodynamic shapethat provides for reduced or minimal flow resistance for the air flowbetween the fans 240 and the fan tray show 250.

The wire guide 270 can have one or more projections 272 configured tocouple to and/or be disposed within associated holes 242 of the fans240. In some embodiments, during assembly, the wire guide 270 can becoupled to the fans 240 before an LED sleeve 280, the wires 292 and/orother electronic components are assembled. In such embodiments, the wireguide 270 can corral the wires 292, reducing the opportunity for thewires 292 to be pinched, stretched, and/or damaged during assemblyand/or use. Said another way, the projections 272 of the wire guide 270align the wire guide 270 relative to the fans 240 so that the blades ofthe fans 240 do not interfere with wires 292 and the electronicsassembly 260 can be held firmly once assembled.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the electronics assembly 260 of the fantray 200 of FIG. 2. The connector 290 can be coupled to the wires 292,which can in turn be coupled to the LED 285 and/or the fans 240 (notshown in FIG. 6), respectively. The LED 285 and, in some embodiments, atleast a portion of LED leads 282 can be disposed within and/or moldedinto the LED sleeve 280. In some embodiments, the LED sleeve 280 cancontain and/or channel bare LED leads 282, and/or can provide end-to-endinsulation for the LED leads 282. For example, the LED sleeve 280 caninclude channels 281, grooves, chambers, and/or any other suitablestructure operable to electrically isolate the LED leads 282. The LEDsleeve 280 can thereby reduce or eliminate the need for traditionalheat-shrink tubing to insulate the LED leads 282. Because heat-shrinkinsulation can be bulker and can increase the minimum radius ofcurvature of bends in the LED leads 282, the LED sleeve 280 can reducethe footprint and/or improve the durability of the electronics assembly260.

The light pipe 287 can be coupled to, disposed against, and/or locatedproximate to the LED 285 and/or the LED sleeve 280. The light pipe 287can be operable to receive the visual output of the LED 285 at a rearend, and transmit the visual output to a front end. Thus, the light pipe287 can convey the output of the LED 285, which can be located at therear of the fan tray 200, to the front of the fan tray 200. The lightpipe 287 can therefore reduce the length of the LED leads 282 used toconvey a visual signal to the front of the fan tray 200.

As described above, the wire guide 270 can be configured to corraland/or limit the location and/or movement of the wires 292. In someembodiments, the wire guide 270 can be located between the wires 292 andthe fans 240. For example, the wires 292 can coupled to the fans 240 ator near an opening of the wire guide 270. In some embodiments, the wires292 can be coupled to the fans 240 within 2 mm of an opening of the wireguide, within approximately 5 mm, 10 mm, or within any other suitabledistance from an opening of the wire guide 270. Similarly, in someembodiments, the LED sleeve 280 can couple to and/or insulate LED leads282 from the connector 290 and/or the wire guide 270 to the LED 285.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a rear exploded isometric view and a rear view ofthe fan tray shoe 250 and the connector 290, of the fan tray 200 of FIG.2, respectively. As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the fantray shoe 254 can define an opening 254 for inlet and/or outlet of theairflow. In some embodiments, the fan tray shoe 250 can providestructural rigidity for the fan tray 200, for example, by including oneor more stiffening flanges 252 and 256. The stiffening flanges 252 canbe operable to resist torsion and/or flexion that the fan tray mayexperience, for example, during assembly, handling, and/or use.

The fan tray shoe 250 can further include a key structure 256. The keystructure 245 (including stiffening flanges 252 and 256) can, in someembodiments, include one or more slots, grooves, rods, and/or holes ofvarious shapes, sizes, and/or extending various distances from the fantray shoe 250. The key structure 245 can matingly couple with anassociated structure disposed within the chassis. The keying structure245 can be operable to ensure that the fan tray 200 can be fullydisposed only within a slot in the chassis designed to receive the fantray 200. For example, the chassis can have a projection disposed withinthe chassis that will exclude the fan tray 200, e.g., prevent the fantray 200 from sliding partially or completely within the chassis, and/orprevent the connector 290 from mating with the corresponding (e.g.,mating) connector of the chassis, unless the projection corresponds witha slot of the fan tray shoe 250.

In some embodiments, the fan tray shoe 250 can be reversible, such thatit can be alternatively disposed within at least two different types ofchassis slots. For example, when the fan tray shoe 250 is coupled to thefan tray 200 in a first configuration, the fan tray 200 is configured tobe disposed in a slot operable to receive a fan tray configured todirect cooling air into the chassis; when the fan tray shoe is coupledto the fan tray 200 is a second configuration (e.g., rotated 180degrees), the fan tray 200 is configured to be disposed in a slotoperable to receive a fan tray configured to remove air from thechassis. Similarly stated, the location of the keying structure 256 onthe fan tray 200 can be associated with the direction of airflowgenerated by the fans 240. The keying structure 256 can thereby assurethat an inlet fan tray can only be disposed within a chassis slotconfigured to receive an inlet fan tray, while an outlet fan tray canonly be disposed within a chassis slot configured to receive an outletfan tray. In other embodiments, the keying structure 256 can beconfigured such that the fan tray 200 can be disposed within either aninlet or an outlet chassis slot.

In yet other embodiments, the key structure can be associated withinformation other than or in addition to air flow direction, such as afan having one rotor or two rotors, a fan having one fan speed or adifferent fan speed, a fan having one drive voltage or a different drivevoltage. For example, in such an embodiment, a first position of the keystructure can be associated with a fan having one rotor, and a secondposition of the key structure can be associated with a fan having tworotors. For another example, a first position of the key structure canbe associated with a fan having one fan speed, and a second position ofthe key structure can be associated with a fan having a different fanspeed. For yet another example, a first position of the key structurecan be associated with a fan having one drive voltage, and a secondposition of the key structure can be associated with a fan having adifferent drive voltage.

The connector 290 is coupled to the fan tray shoe 250. The fan tray shoe250 can thereby define the vertical position, the horizontal position,and/or the depth of the connector 290. The position of the connector 290can be defined such that it will align with the corresponding connectorof the chassis when the fan tray 200 is coupled thereto. In someembodiments, the fan tray shoe 250 can include multiple connectorpositions. In such embodiments, the vertical, horizontal, positionand/or depth of the connector 290 can be adjusted, for example, byselecting a connector position during assembly, such that the connector290 position corresponds to the location of the associated chassisconnector.

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram of a fan tray 300 and chassis 395,according to an embodiment. The fan tray 300 can be an air-flow-in (AFI)fan tray, and can be structurally and/or functionally similar to the fantrays 100 and/or 200 as shown and described above with reference toFIGS. 1-7B (inclusive). The fan tray 300 can include a fan assembly 340,a fan tray shoe 350, and/or any other structures and componentsdescribed above, such as, a retaining clip, a handle, a cover, anelectronics assembly, etc. (not shown).

The chassis 395 can be a structure configured to receive the fan tray300, such as, for example, a rack-mounted unit, such as a top-of-rackswitch, a server chassis, and/or any other suitable chassis orenclosure. The chassis 395 includes an opening 396, which can beapproximately the same size and/or shape as the fan tray 300. Forexample, the opening 396 can have a height and/or a width approximately1 mm, approximately 3 mm, or approximately 5 mm, greater than a heightand/or a width of the fan tray 300, and/or the opening 396 can be anyother suitable size. Thus, in some embodiments, the fan tray 300 can beslideably disposed within the opening 396.

The fan tray shoe 350 is configured to be coupled to the rear of the fanassembly 340. As described above, the fan tray shoe 350 is configured toselectively key the fan tray 300 to a particular chassis and/or type ofchassis. As shown, the fan tray shoe 350 is configured to be coupled toan AFI fan tray 300, such that the AFI fan tray 300 can be selectivelycoupled to an AFI chassis 395 and/or selectively excluded from anair-flow-out (AFO) chassis (e.g., the AFO chassis 495 as shown in FIG.8B and described in further detail below).

The fan tray shoe 350 includes a key structure 356. As shown, the keystructure 356 is a cut-out portion of a corner of the fan tray shoe 350.The key structure 356 is configured to interact with a lock structure397 disposed within the chassis. In other embodiments, the key structure356 can be a projection, a hole, a slot, a tab, and/or any othersuitable spatial key. In yet other embodiments, the key structure 356can be an electric and/or magnetic “key” configured to interact with acorresponding “lock” disposed within the chassis 395 and configured tosense the presence of the key structure 356.

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of a fan tray 400 and chassis 495,according to an embodiment. The fan tray 400 can be an AFO fan tray, andcan be structurally and/or functionally similar to the fan trays 100and/or 200 as shown and described above with reference to FIGS. 1-7B(inclusive). The fan tray 400 can include a fan assembly 440, a fan trayshoe 450, and/or any other structures and components described above,such as, a retaining clip, a handle, a cover, an electronics assembly,etc. (not shown).

The chassis 495 can be structurally and/or functionally similar to thechassis 395 described above with reference to FIG. 8A. The chassis 495can differ from the chassis 395 in that the chassis 495 can be an AFOchassis. Similarly stated, the chassis 495 can be configured to have airremoved from a slot 496, and/or can have a lock structure 497 configuredto selectively accept an AFO fan tray (e.g., the AFO fan tray 400)and/or selectively exclude an AFI fan tray (e.g., the AFI fan tray 300.

The AFO fan tray shoe 450 can be configured to be coupled to an AFO fanassembly 440. In some embodiments, the AFO fan tray shoe 450 can differfrom the AFI fan tray shoe 350 only in orientation. Similarly stated,during assembly, a fan tray shoe can be coupled to a fan tray in anorientation such that the fan tray is collectively configured to beslideably disposable only within a certain chassis and/or type ofchassis. For example, as shown, the AFI fan tray shoe 350 and the AFOfan tray shoe 450 can be a common fan tray shoe oriented different withrespect to the fan tray 400 such that the combination of the fan trayand the fan tray shoe collectively define a keyed assembly that isinsertable into an AFO chassis or AFI chassis without being insertableinto the other (AFI chassis or AFO chassis, respectively).

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. For example, although some embodiments describe a fan trayoperable to be coupled to a server rack, in other embodiments, such afan tray can be operable to couple to industrial equipment, kitchenequipment, otherwise positioned in any situation in which airflow isdesired.

Although various embodiments have been described as having particularfeatures and/or combinations of components, other embodiments arepossible having a combination of any features and/or components from anyof embodiments where appropriate. For example, although some embodimentsof a fan tray are described as having an inlet on a first end and anoutlet on a second end, in other embodiments the fan tray can have bothinlets and outlets on one side. For example, in some embodiments, thefan tray can have one fan operable to direct air into a chassis and asecond fan operable to remove air from the chassis positionedside-by-side. Such an embodiment could be operable to circulate airwithin the chassis, for example, via an internal baffle that circulatesthe air in a “U” shaped path within the fan tray.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a fan tray having abody, a handle and a latch, the latch being a leafspring, an end portionof the handle rotatably coupled to the body, a first portion of thelatch fixedly coupled to the handle, a recess defined, at least in part,by the body, at least a portion of the recess located on an axis ofrotation of the handle, a second portion of the latch configured to beselectively disposed within the recess, and the handle having a range ofmotion between a first position when the second end portion of the latchis disposed out of the recess and a second position when the secondportion of the latch is disposed within the recess.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the fan tray is configured to be slideably disposedwithin a chassis when the handle is in the second position, the latchconfigured to prevent the fan tray from sliding within the chassis whenthe handle is in the first position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein: the second portion of the latch includes a first surface and asecond surface collectively defining a ridge, the ridge configured tomove relative to the body such that when the handle moves from the firstposition to the second position the ridge is moved into the recess. 4.An apparatus, comprising: a fan tray having a body, a handle and alatch, an end portion of the handle rotatably coupled to the body, afirst portion of the latch fixedly coupled to the handle, a recessdefined, at least in part, by the body, a second portion of the latchconfigured to be selectively disposed within the recess, the handlehaving a range of motion between a first position when the second endportion of the latch is disposed out of the recess and a second positionwhen the second portion of the latch is disposed within the recess, thefan tray includes a cover having a plurality of vent holes and isdisposed between the body and at least a portion of the handle, thehandle having a beveled portion defining at least of a portion of aplenum.
 5. An apparatus, comprising: a fan tray having a body, a handleand a latch, an end portion of the handle rotatably coupled to the body,a first portion of the latch fixedly coupled to the handle, a recessdefined, at least in part, by the body, a second portion of the latchconfigured to be selectively disposed within the recess, the handlehaving a range of motion between a first position when the second endportion of the latch is disposed out of the recess and a second positionwhen the second portion of the latch is disposed within the recess, thefan tray includes a cover having a plurality of vent holes and isdisposed between the body and at least a portion of the handle, thehandle and the cover collectively defining a snap-fit when the handle isin the first position.
 6. An apparatus, comprising: a fan tray having abody, a handle, a first latch, and a second latch, a first end portionof the handle rotatably coupled to the body, a first portion of thefirst latch fixedly coupled to the handle, a second end portion of thehandle rotatably coupled to the body, a first portion of the secondlatch fixedly coupled to the handle, a first recess defined, at least inpart, by the body, a second portion of the first latch configured to beselectively disposed within the recess, a second recess defined, atleast in part, by the body, second portion of the second latchconfigured to be selectively disposed within the second recess, thehandle having a range of motion between a first position when (1) thesecond end portion of the first latch is disposed out of the firstrecess and (2) the second portion of the second latch is disposed out ofthe second recess, and a second position when (1) the second portion ofthe first latch is disposed within the first recess and (2) the secondportion of the second latch is disposed within the second recess.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein, the leaf spring is configured to deformallowing the fan tray to slide within a chassis in a first directionwhen the handle is in the first position, the leaf spring configured toresist deformation, preventing the fan tray from sliding within thechassis in a second direction when the handle is in the first position.8. An apparatus, comprising: a sleeve disposed within a fan tray, thesleeve defining a first channel and a second channel; a first wire of alight source disposed in the first channel of the sleeve; a second wireof the light source disposed in the second channel of the sleeve, thefirst channel of the sleeve and the second channel of the sleevecollectively electrically insulating the first wire and the second wire.9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the first channel of the sleeveand the second channel of the sleeve collectively electricallyinsulating the first wire without a heat-shrink tube and insulating thesecond wire without a heat-shrink tube.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein: the sleeve is coupled to a body of the fan tray that retains alight pipe having an end portion, the sleeve retaining the light sourcein optical coupling with the end portion of the light pipe.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a wire-guide housing disposedwithin the fan tray, the wire-guide housing disposed between a connectorand a fan, the wire-guide housing defining a first wire-path associatedwith the first wire and a second wire-path associated with the secondwire.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a wire-guidehousing disposed within the fan tray between a connector and a fan, thewire-guide housing having an outer surface defining, at least in part,an air flow between a fan of the fan tray and an exhaust port of the fantray, the exhaust port excluding the connector.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising: a wire-guide housing disposed within thefan tray between a connector and a fan, the wire-guide housing retaininga position of the connector relative to a fan tray shoe.
 14. Anapparatus, comprising: a fan tray having a first end and a second endopposite the first end, the fan tray configured to be slideably disposedwithin a chassis by inserting the first end of the fan tray into thechassis; and a fan tray shoe configured to be removably coupled to thefirst end of the fan tray, the fan tray shoe having a key, when the keyis in a first position the fan tray and the fan tray shoe collectivelyassociated with a first air flow direction, and when the key is in asecond position, the fan tray and the fan tray shoe collectivelyassociated with a second air flow direction opposite the first air flowdirection.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: when the key is in athird position, the fan tray and the fan tray shoe collectivelyassociated with the first air flow direction and the second air flowdirection.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: aconnector configured to electrically couple a first plurality of wiresoutside the fan tray to a second plurality of wires within the fan tray,the fan tray shoe defining an elevation of the connector.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein: the fan tray shoe is configured to beoperably coupled to a printed circuit board when the fan tray shoe isdisposed within the chassis and the printed circuit boardcomplimentarily mates with the key of the fan tray shoe.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein: the fan tray shoe is configured not tobe r operably coupled to a printed circuit board when the fan tray shoeis disposed within the chassis and the printed circuit board fails tocomplimentarily mate with the key of the fan tray shoe.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a connector configured toelectrically couple a first plurality of wires outside the fan tray to asecond plurality of wires within the fan tray, the fan tray shoedefining an elevation of the connector, the key is configured to alignthe fan tray shoe within a chassis and operatively couple the connectorto a printed circuit board within the chassis when the printed circuitboard complimentarily mates with the key of the fan tray shoe.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein: a bare portion of the first wire isdisposed within the first channel of the sleeve; and a bare portion ofthe second wire is disposed within the second channel of the sleeve.